As the Paralympic Games are due to begin on March 4 in Beijing, a large group of Ukrainian athletes is calling for the Russian and Belarusian National Olympic and Paralympic Committees to be suspended.
Posted at 5:25 p.m.
In an open letter made public by the movement Global Athleteon Sunday, the Ukrainian athletes address the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach as well as the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons.
“Any suspension must also include the banning of all athletes [russes et biélorusses] of international sport, including those of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games”, we insist.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a flagrant violation of the Olympic and Paralympic charters, an offense that must be punished with severe sanctions. »
Over the past few days, the International Olympic Committee has publicly condemned the actions of Russia and Belarus, saying they contravene the Olympic truce signed last December. He also encouraged the international federations to relocate all their planned events in the two countries. But no action was taken.
Ukrainian athletes recall that their compatriots, families and friends are currently in danger.
“We implore you to join the international community in sanctioning Russia and Belarus. The IOC and IPC must stand up in solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes,” it says.
If you refuse to act quickly, you are clearly supporting Russia and Belarus in their violation of international law and your own charters. Your inaction will send a message to every athlete and to the world that you have chosen the interests of Russia and Belarus over the interests of the athletes. Your legacy will be defined by your actions.
Extract from the letter of the Ukrainian athletes
Ukrainian athletes say they are “united in this call”, but say “it has been a challenge to speak with all the athletes as they seek safety in bomb shelters.” »
In the long list of signatures at the end of the letter, we find athletes from the Ukrainian federations of bobsleigh, luge, gymnastics, athletics, biathlon, swimming, wrestling, tennis, fencing, synchronized swimming, freestyle skiing, boxing and cycling.